Policy and guidelines
1. General
1.1 The number of hens, the breed and the size of their accommodation must be registered with the secretary of the Allotment Association in writing. Please do this before you start keeping birds.

1.2 This is not a comprehensive guide to keeping chickens and is only intended as a general overview. Allotmenteers should conduct their own research into chicken care before housing them at the allotments.

2. Accommodation for your Hens
2.1 Hens should be accommodated in a fully enclosed Hen House. This must provide year round shelter from adverse weather and provide adequate shade and ventilation. The British Hen Welfare Trust for example, recommend 6-berth accommodation for four hens. Hens are sociable. The ideal minimum is three kept together. 

2.2 The Hen House must provide:-
a minimum of 0.25 square metres (approximately 388 square inches) floor area for each hen, a perch for each hen to stand on while they sleep (approximately 3cms to 5cms wide) with rounded edges to enable them to grip, and a nesting box filled with wood shavings or other suitable material for each hen to lay eggs.
2.3 The outdoor run should be a fully enclosed outdoor caged exercise space that provides a minimum of 0.4 square metres (approximately 620 square inches) for each hen. There should be plenty of space for hens to dig, dust themselves and flap their wings. It should be 1 metre high.
2.4 The chicken coop must be predator proof. For example, with wire mesh fencing all the way around and above the coop and wooden boards fixed to the base of the fence.
2.5 The Hen House and Outdoor Run must be maintained in good state of repair and in a safe condition.

3. Care of your Hens
3.1 Hens require dry clean bedding material to absorb moisture and odour (for example wood shavings or straw).
3.2 Hen Houses and Outdoor Runs should be cleaned weekly.
3.3 Hens should at all times have a continuous and plentiful supply of clean and fresh water. This must be provided in a container which hens cannot step in or knock over. If the water supply to the allotment field is turned off, chicken owners will ensure that they are still able to comply with this provision.
3.4 Hens must have a regular supply of feed, appropriate to the age and species of hen and sufficient for their nutritional needs.

3.5 Chickens cannot be fed with waste food from your kitchen (including vegetable scraps). This is illegal.
3.6 Hens must be checked at least once each day. 

4. Health
4.1 Ensuring the welfare of hens, includes arranging for them to have all necessary treatments for their health and well-being, including worming, nail and wing clipping, lice and mite treatment.
4.2 All hens kept on the Allotment must be vaccinated.
4.3 Sick or injured hens must be removed from the Allotment and given veterinary treatment without delay.

5. Avoiding Problems
5.1 Feed should be stored so that it is kept clean, tidy and protected from pests and in rat proof containers.
5.2 You must take all reasonable measures necessary to avoid causing any nuisance arising from the keeping of your hens on the Allotment.

Policy reviewed: July 2024

Next review date: July 2025